Building Service Aides perform a variety of routine unskilled and manual tasks related to the operation and maintenance of State-owned buildings and facilities, the surrounding grounds, and the vehicles and equipment used in maintaining the sites. Positions in this class are part-time positions.
The largest number of positions is located at the various State office buildings and complexes managed by the Office of General Services. Others are found in units of the State University, the Education Department Main Office, the Housing Finance Agency and the New York State Teachers' Retirement System.
Building Service Aides are characterized by the performance of activities on a part-time basis. They perform such tasks as sweeping floors; vacuuming rugs; dusting furniture; emptying wastebaskets and ashtrays; mowing lawns; shoveling snow; operating passenger elevators; and providing general information regarding the particular site to employees and visitors.
There are many classes in State service which perform varied cleaning and housekeeping tasks. Cleaners usually work as crew members performing routine manual tasks which require light, medium and heavy physical effort, to clean and care for an assigned area on a full-time basis. Typically, this cleaning and care takes place in public buildings, offices, dormitories, public assembly areas, patient/resident care areas, therapy areas, halls and foyers, etc.
Janitors perform the same tasks as Cleaners and, in addition, make repairs and do maintenance work requiring handy person abilities; are responsible for the cleaning and care of one or more buildings or for major areas of the larger State office buildings, and usually supervise Cleaners. Housekeepers are responsible for the cleaning, care and upkeep of assigned buildings or areas of large buildings in State institutions, including employee or staff living quarters and administrative work areas, and supervise Cleaners and/or other domestic employees.
Building Services Assistants 1 perform a combination of maintenance and custodial operations, operate motor vehicles as needed in conjunction with primary duties, and perform parking service duties at various State-owned buildings managed by the Office of General Services.
Building Services Assistants 2 perform a variety of semiskilled manual tasks related to the operation and maintenance of State-owned buildings and facilities and surrounding grounds and the vehicles and equipment used in maintaining these sites. Work performed involves a combination of maintenance, repair, grounds and custodial operations.
While Window Washers also perform cleaning tasks, a distinguishing characteristic of this class is the washing of windows of multi-storied buildings from the outside, using safety apparatus.
A Building Service Aide performs under varying degrees of independence. Incumbents of these positions usually work under close supervision and under clear, simple guidelines. They may set their own priorities for daily activities in achieving a given assignment or work schedule. Their work is usually closely reviewed and may require direct supervision when more complicated activities are required.
A Building Service Aide will generally perform routine manual and unskilled simple tasks and will require little or no written instructions. They usually are assigned to work in a crew where others are performing the same or similar tasks.
The maintenance activities performed by a Building Service Aide generally restrict relationships to employees working within the same organizational unit. However, incumbents may be called on to answer routine questions. They may also have to explain rules and regulations and handle simple complaints. Written communications with the general public are not typical.
The Building Service Aide is a non-supervisory position. These positions work under the supervision of a General Mechanic, Building Superintendent or Building Manager.
Physically able to perform the tasks of the position and to communicate orally for the purpose of exchanging information.